Apparatus and method of generating and maintaining orthogonal connection identifications (CIDs) for wireless networks

Abstract

A first device is configured to select and utilize a connection identifier (CID) for a peer-to-peer communication connection between the first device and a second device in a wireless communications network. The CID is selected from a predetermined set of a plurality of CIDs. Prior to selecting the connection identifier, the first device monitors a CID broadcast channel to determine whether the CID is being utilized by other nearby connections. If it is determined that the CID is being utilized by another connection in the proximity, a different (unused) CID is selected. A transmission request is transmitted to the second device using a first transmission resource unit within a traffic management channel slot, the first transmission resource unit being determined as a function of the selected CID. The first device transmits traffic data to the second device in a traffic channel slot corresponding to the traffic management channel slot.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method operational in a first device for utilizing a first connection identifier for a peer-to-peer communication connection between the first device and a second device in a wireless communications network, comprising:
 sending a first connection identifier broadcast signal corresponding to the first connection identifier in a connection identifier broadcast channel; 
 monitoring the connection identifier broadcast channel to determine whether the first connection identifier is being utilized by another connection in the proximity; and 
 switching to a second connection identifier if it is determined that the first connection identifier is being utilized by another connection in the proximity. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second connection identifiers belong to a predetermined set of a plurality of connection identifiers. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the connection identifier broadcast channel includes a plurality of symbols in a time interval, the first connection identifier broadcast signal is sent in one of the symbols, and monitoring the connection identifier broadcast channel further comprising:
 receiving a signal in the remaining symbols of the connection identifier broadcast channel in the time interval; 
 detecting the presence of a second connection identifier broadcast signal in the received signal, the second connection identifier broadcast signal corresponding to the first connection identifier; and 
 measuring the signal strength of the detected second connection identifier broadcast signal if the presence of the second connection identifier broadcast signal is detected. 
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein it is determined that the first connection identifier is being utilized by other connections in the proximity if it is determined that either the second connection identifier broadcast signal is present in the received signal, or the signal strength of the second connection identifier broadcast signal in the received signal is above certain threshold, or the ratio of the signal strength of the second connection identifier broadcast signal and the signal strength of a connection identifier broadcast signal corresponding to another connection identifier in the received signal is above certain threshold. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 prior to sending the first connection identifier broadcast signal, selecting one of the plurality of symbols of the connection identifier broadcast channel in the time interval to send the first connection identifier broadcast signal. 
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 receiving a broadcast signal from a common network timing source; and 
 determining the value of a time counter, wherein the value of the time counter is determined as a function of the received broadcast signal and changes from one time interval to another, and the selected one of the plurality of symbols is selected as a function of the value of the time counter. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of symbols is an OFDM symbol including a plurality of tones, and the first connection identifier broadcast signal is sent in one of the plurality of tones in the selected one of plurality of symbols. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the combination of selected OFDM symbol and tone is determined as a function of the first connection identifier and wherein a different connection identifier corresponds to a different combination of selected OFDM symbol and tone. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 7 , wherein a plurality OFDM symbols are associated with the first connection identifier, and wherein the selected one of the plurality of symbols is selected from the plurality of OFDM symbols being associated with the first connection identifier as a function determined by both the first and the second devices. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the second connection identifier broadcast signal is received in the remaining OFDM symbols of the plurality of OFDM symbols being associated with the first connection identifier. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 prior to switching to the second connection identifier, monitoring a connection identifier broadcast channel corresponding to the second connection identifier to determine whether the second connection identifier is being utilized by other connections in the proximity; and 
 determining to switch to the second connection identifier if it is determined that the second connection identifier is not being utilized by another connection in the proximity. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein determining whether the second connection identifier is being utilized by other connections in the proximity further comprising:
 detecting the presence of a connection identifier broadcast signal in the connection identifier broadcast channel, the connection identifier broadcast signal corresponding to the second connection identifier; and 
 measuring the signal strength of the connection identifier broadcast signal if the presence of the connection identifier broadcast signal is detected. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the connection identifier broadcast channel is part of a frequency spectrum shared with a plurality of other peer-to-peer connections. 
     
     
       14. A first device configured to utilize a first connection identifier for a peer-to-peer communication connection between the first device and a second device in a wireless communications network, comprising:
 a transmitter and receiver for establishing the wireless peer-to-peer communication connection; and 
 a processing circuit adapted to perform peer to peer communications through the transmitter and receiver over a peer-to-peer communication channel, the processing circuit configured to: 
 send a first connection identifier broadcast signal corresponding to the first connection identifier in a connection identifier broadcast channel; 
 monitor the connection identifier broadcast channel to determine whether the first connection identifier is being utilized by another connection in the proximity; and 
 switch to a second connection identifier if it is determined that the first connection identifier is being utilized by another connection in the proximity. 
 
     
     
       15. The first device of  claim 14 , wherein the first and second connection identifiers belong to a predetermined set of a plurality of connection identifiers. 
     
     
       16. The first device of  claim 14 , wherein the connection identifier broadcast channel includes a plurality of symbols in a time interval, the first connection identifier broadcast signal is sent in one of the symbols, and to monitor the connection identifier broadcast channel the processing circuit is further adapted to:
 receive a signal in the remaining symbols of the connection identifier broadcast channel in the time interval; 
 detect the presence of a second connection identifier broadcast signal in the received signal, the second connection identifier broadcast signal corresponding to the first connection identifier; and 
 measure the signal strength of the detected second connection identifier broadcast signal if the presence of the second connection identifier broadcast signal is detected. 
 
     
     
       17. The first device of  claim 16 , wherein it is determined that the first connection identifier is being utilized by other connections in the proximity if it is determined that one of either:
 the second connection identifier broadcast signal is present in the received signal, 
 the signal strength of the second connection identifier broadcast signal in the received signal is above certain threshold, 
 the ratio of the signal strength of the second connection identifier broadcast signal and the signal strength of a connection identifier broadcast signal corresponding to another connection identifier in the received signal is above certain threshold. 
 
     
     
       18. The first device of  claim 16 , wherein the processing circuit is further adapted to:
 selecting one of the plurality of symbols of the connection identifier broadcast channel in the time interval to send the first connection identifier broadcast signal prior to sending the first connection identifier broadcast signal. 
 
     
     
       19. The first device of  claim 18 , wherein the processing circuit is further adapted to:
 receive a broadcast signal from a common network timing source; and 
 determine the value of a time counter, wherein the value of the time counter is determined as a function of the received broadcast signal and changes from one time interval to another, and the selected one of the plurality of symbols is selected as a function of the value of the time counter. 
 
     
     
       20. The first device of  claim 18 , wherein each of the plurality of symbols is an OFDM symbol including a plurality of tones, and the first connection identifier broadcast signal is sent in one of the plurality of tones in the selected one of plurality of symbols. 
     
     
       21. The first device of  claim 20 , wherein the combination of selected OFDM symbol and tone is determined as a function of the first connection identifier and wherein a different connection identifier corresponds to a different combination of selected OFDM symbol and tone. 
     
     
       22. The first device of  claim 20 , wherein a plurality of OFDM symbols are associated with the first connection identifier, and wherein the selected one of the plurality of symbols is selected from the plurality of OFDM symbols being associated with the first connection identifier as a function determined by both the first and the second devices. 
     
     
       23. The first device of  claim 22 , wherein the second connection identifier broadcast signal is received in the remaining OFDM symbols of the plurality of OFDM symbols being associated with the first connection identifier. 
     
     
       24. The first device of  claim 14 , wherein the processing circuit is further adapted to:
 prior to switching to the second connection identifier, monitor a connection identifier broadcast channel corresponding to the second connection identifier to determine whether the second connection identifier is being utilized by other connections in the proximity; and 
 determine to switch to the second connection identifier if it is determined that the second connection identifier is not being utilized by another connection in the proximity. 
 
     
     
       25. The first device of  claim 24 , wherein to determine whether the second connection identifier is not being utilized by other connections in the proximity, the processing circuit is further adapted to:
 detect the presence of a connection identifier broadcast signal in the connection identifier broadcast channel, the connection identifier broadcast signal corresponding to the second connection identifier; and 
 measure the signal strength of the connection identifier broadcast signal if the presence of the connection identifier broadcast signal is detected. 
 
     
     
       26. A first device configured to utilize a first connection identifier for a peer-to-peer communication connection between the first device and a second device in a wireless communications network, comprising:
 means for sending a first connection identifier broadcast signal corresponding to the first connection identifier in a connection identifier broadcast channel; 
 means for monitoring the connection identifier broadcast channel to determine whether the first connection identifier is being utilized by another connection in the proximity; and 
 means for switching to a second connection identifier if it is determined that the first connection identifier is being utilized by another connection in the proximity. 
 
     
     
       27. The first device of  claim 26 , wherein the first and second connection identifiers belong to a predetermined set of a plurality of connection identifiers. 
     
     
       28. The first device of  claim 26 , wherein the connection identifier broadcast channel includes a plurality of symbols in a time interval, the first connection identifier broadcast signal is sent in one of the symbols, and further comprising:
 means for receiving a signal in the remaining symbols of the connection identifier broadcast channel in the time interval; 
 means for detecting the presence of a second connection identifier broadcast signal in the received signal, the second connection identifier broadcast signal corresponding to the first connection identifier; and 
 means for measuring the signal strength of the detected second connection identifier broadcast signal if the presence of the second connection identifier broadcast signal is detected. 
 
     
     
       29. The first device of  claim 28 , wherein it is determined that the first connection identifier is being utilized by other connections in the proximity if one of either:
 the second connection identifier broadcast signal is present in the received signal, 
 the signal strength of the second connection identifier broadcast signal in the received signal is above certain threshold, or 
 the ratio of the signal strength of the second connection identifier broadcast signal and the signal strength of a connection identifier broadcast signal corresponding to another connection identifier in the received signal is above second threshold. 
 
     
     
       30. The first device of  claim 28 , further comprising:
 means for selecting one of the plurality of symbols of the connection identifier broadcast channel in the time interval to send the first connection identifier broadcast signal. 
 
     
     
       31. The first device of  claim 30 , further comprising:
 means for receiving a broadcast signal from a common network timing source; 
 and means for determining the value of a time counter, wherein the value of the time counter is determined as a function of the received broadcast signal and changes from one time interval to another, and the selected one of the plurality of symbols is selected as a function of the value of the time counter. 
 
     
     
       32. The first device of  claim 30 , wherein each of the plurality of symbols is an OFDM symbol including a plurality of tones, and the first connection identifier broadcast signal is sent in one of the plurality of tones in the selected one of plurality of symbols. 
     
     
       33. The first device of  claim 32 , wherein the combination of selected OFDM symbol and tone is determined as a function of the first connection identifier and wherein a different connection identifier corresponds to a different combination of selected OFDM symbol and tone. 
     
     
       34. The first device of  claim 32 , wherein a plurality of OFDM symbols are associated with the first connection identifier, and wherein the selected one of the plurality of symbols is selected from the plurality of OFDM symbols being associated with the first connection identifier as a function determined by both the first and the second devices, and the second connection identifier broadcast signal is received in the remaining OFDM symbols of the plurality of OFDM symbols being associated with the first connection identifier. 
     
     
       35. A circuit for utilizing a first connection identifier for a peer-to-peer communication connection between a first device and a second device in a wireless communications network, wherein the circuit operates in a first device and is adapted to:
 send a first connection identifier broadcast signal corresponding to the first connection identifier in a connection identifier broadcast channel; 
 monitor the connection identifier broadcast channel to determine whether the first connection identifier is being utilized by another connection in the proximity; and 
 switch to a second connection identifier if it is determined that the first connection identifier is being utilized by another connection in the proximity. 
 
     
     
       36. The circuit of  claim 35 , wherein the connection identifier broadcast channel includes a plurality of symbols in a time interval, the first connection identifier broadcast signal is sent in one of the symbols, the circuit further adapted to:
 receive a signal in the remaining symbols of the connection identifier broadcast channel in the time interval; 
 detect the presence of a second connection identifier broadcast signal in the received signal, the second connection identifier broadcast signal corresponding to the first connection identifier; 
 measure the signal strength of the detected second connection identifier broadcast signal if the presence of the second connection identifier broadcast signal is detected; and 
 select one of the plurality of symbols of the connection identifier broadcast channel in the time interval to send the first connection identifier broadcast signal. 
 
     
     
       37. The circuit of  claim 36 , wherein it is determined that the first connection identifier is being utilized by other connections in the proximity if one of either:
 the second connection identifier broadcast signal is present in the received signal, 
 the signal strength of the second connection identifier broadcast signal in the received signal is above certain threshold, or 
 the ratio of the signal strength of the second connection identifier broadcast signal and the signal strength of a connection identifier broadcast signal corresponding to another connection identifier in the received signal is above second threshold. 
 
     
     
       38. A non-transitory machine-readable medium comprising instructions for a first device to utilize a first connection identifier for a peer-to-peer communication connection between the first device and a second device in a wireless communications network, which when executed by a processor causes the processor to:
 send a first connection identifier broadcast signal corresponding to the first connection identifier in a connection identifier broadcast channel; 
 monitor the connection identifier broadcast channel to determine whether the first connection identifier is being utilized by another connection in the proximity; and 
 switch to a second connection identifier if it is determined that the first connection identifier is being utilized by another connection in the proximity. 
 
     
     
       39. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 38 , wherein the connection identifier broadcast channel includes a plurality of symbols in a time interval, the first connection identifier broadcast signal is sent in one of the symbols, and wherein said non-transitory machine-readable medium further comprises instructions to:
 receive a signal in the remaining symbols of the connection identifier broadcast channel in the time interval; 
 detect the presence of a second connection identifier broadcast signal in the received signal, the second connection identifier broadcast signal corresponding to the first connection identifier; and 
 measure the signal strength of the detected second connection identifier broadcast signal if the presence of the second connection identifier broadcast signal is detected. 
 
     
     
       40. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 39 , wherein it is determined that the first connection identifier is being utilized by other connections in the proximity if one of either:
 the second connection identifier broadcast signal is present in the received signal, 
 the signal strength of the second connection identifier broadcast signal in the received signal is above certain threshold, or 
 the ratio of the signal strength of the second connection identifier broadcast signal and the signal strength of a connection identifier broadcast signal corresponding to another connection identifier in the received signal is above second threshold.